a rare closed door rally on capitol hill over the weekend as president obama calls on democrat dids to close ranks and pass health care reform. >> we're woorking toward a consensus. we're not there. >> we'll talk with two senators on on that sid sides. sarah palin's in iowa as the buzz z keeps getting louder about a possible presidential run. >> yes, she has a chance. i think people are tired of the way things are run. >> is the former alaska governor the future of the republican party is this we'll take a look. tiger's troubles continue as the latest reports say he's had affairs with at least seven women during his marriage. we'll talk to an author who says woods may also have a problem with pain killers. and a warning for parents. the hottest toy may be unsafe. find out why a consumer group is

targeting one of the popular zhu zhu pets early this monday targeting one of the popular zhu zhu pets early this monday morning december 7th, 2009. captioning funded by cbs good monday morning. hope you all had a good weekend. >> so you've been wondering what to get me for christmas. >> yes, i have, actually. >> and i have been really thinking i want to get one of these e-readers. we have all of them on display for you you today. this is the brnd new one, hot off the presses. >> i can't get had one for you because i didn't pre-order it and you can't get it anymore. >> this is the one from barnes & noble. we'll take a look at all of them and tell which you ones work best. >> sxwloo but first we begin this morning with health care reform. harry reid is pulling out all the stops to get the 60 votes needs to pass it and yet he got some high powered help. cbs news congressional correspondent nancy cordes is on

capitol hill with the latest. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. negotiations have reached such a fever pitch that the president himself trekked up here to capitol hill yesterday to give his fellow democrats what he called a pep talk. it's rare for senators to meet on a sunday. rarer still for the president to join them. but here they all were because democrats determined to get a vote by the holidays are still divided over one key issue. >> we're working toward a consensus. we're not there. >> reporter: with three democrats and one independent holding firm against a government-run public insurance option, liberals are now applying them with alternatives such as a national insurance plan run initially by the government but then handed over to not for profit administrators. republicans feeling sidelined accused of president of going back on his campaign promise to

make health care talks open and transparent. >> unfortunately, republicans are not invited, which is really follows an established pattern. >> reporter: the president spoke to democrats for about a half an hour and many noticed that he never mentioned the public option. supporters of a public option say that doesn't mean anything. owe poe minuteses took it as a sign that perhaps he's not married to the idea. maggie? >> nancy cordes on capitol hill, thank you. now let's hear from both sides of the depay the. joining us are republican senator lamar alexander of tennessee and democratic senator claire mccaskill of missouri joins us, as well. good morning. i'd like to begin wit you. there were four holdouts yesterday before your meeting with the president. did he succeed in changing any minds? >> well, i think we're getting there. failure is not an option. the american people are tired of having to go in their pocket every year for higher and higher health costs. this is about saving money. this is about saving lives an

l.s and it's about saving medicare. so we've got to get this done and i'm optimistic it's going to happen. >> we know at least senator nelson was not convinced at least not where abortion funding is concerned and he's plan to go introduce a ban on that today. will you support a bill that does not include abortion funding? >> well, let's be clear. the bill as is it stance does continue the current law which says no federal money can be used to fund abortions. what this amendment does is goes further. it actually says you can't use private money in a private market for any kind of health services related to abortions. and, frankly, i think that goes too far. so i think the majority of the not will oppose this this amendment and leave the current law in place, no federal money for abortion services. >> senator alexander, your response to had that claim? >> well, my response to the whole interview is this. the biggest problem is that the democrats are uses medicare as a

piggybank to pay for a big new government program at a time when the medicare trustees instead the program is about to go broke. so instead of lowering premiums as the senator said, it allows premiums to mc, it raises taxes, it cuts medicare, transfers big expenses to missouri and tennessee and other states, and it does nothing to reduce the cost of health care which is what we need to do. >> there's been a lot of criticism that republicans have done nothing but oppose this bill, nothing to help pass it, just try to kill it. what is your response to that? they say that's why you were not invited to the meeting yesterday. >> well that's really an amazing statement. i mean, the president was elected on the idea of open meetings. what republicans have said from the beginning is you're waiting for us to -- a wheelbarrow full of 2,000 page bills in, you're not going to see it. >> but have you did done more than say no, no, no? >> we have done it every single day. we said we should set a goal

reducing costs and we should go step by step toward that goal in ways that we can agree on in a bipartisan way. for example, small business health insurance plans, allowing people to buy insurance across state lines to create competition, allowing -- reducing the amount of junk lawsuits against doctors which is not even mentioned in the bill. i think the american people are scared to death of us trying to change the whole medical system all at once when, in fact rgts we could go step by step in the right direction, reduce cost, reearn their trust. >> let me go back to senator mckas quill. whether the republicans support it or not, which clearly they don't and won't, do you think this will happen and before the deadline of christmas? >> first of all, the experts at medicare say this bill as it stands today will length then the life of medicare for at least five years. and all we're cutting are the level of profits of the insurance companies. coincidentally, the republican party is continuing to do every amendment that will help the

profits of those corporate insurance companies. that's part of the problem here. we don't have an open and competitive market for people who are trying to fight these insurance companies for their health care. so i think there is enough of us that know doing nothing is simply not an option. it's one the american people can't afford. i wish the republicans would quit being the party of no and come together with us. there's a lot in this bill that they wrote. they don't acknowledge that now, but there's a lot of republican amendmentses that were put in this bill in committee. let's start working together. that's what the american people want us to do. >> senator mccaskill and senator alexander, we have to leave it there. thank you so much. now to the troop buildup in afghanistan. president obama is scheduleded to meet today with the u.s. am bass do are to afghanistan as well as the general who asked for more boots on the ground. cbs news senior white house correspondent bill plante has more on that. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. the administration is doing at bit of damage control over the

weekend. the president's announce want thatle he was sending in more troops but also planning to withdrawal them starting in in 18 months has caused? unease and confusion both here and overseas. secretary of state clinton and defense secretary gates appeared on network sunday programs defending the president's decision to send more troops in to afghanistan. >> i think he talked about success and that's what we're looking toward. >> reporter: gates insists that july 2011 is got a deadline, but, rather, the beginning of transferring responsibility to the afghan government. >> what is conditions based is the pacing at which our troops will come home and the pace at which we will turnover responsibility to the of a gaps. >> reporter: another part of the strategy is working with the pakistan government to find osama bin laden. though they admit they don't know where he is. >> we don't know for a fact where osama bin laden is. if we did, we'd go get him. >> reporter: general stanley mcchrystal, who is in charge of troops in afghanistan, and also the ambassador to afghanistan,

karl eikenberry, had will be testifying this week before congress and they'll be pushing the idea that july 2011 is only a start date and that the troop withdrawal pace will depend entirely on how things are going. harry? >> a start date. all right. bill plante, thanks so much. at the white house this morning. want to get more news now. >> russ mitchell is standing by it at the news desk. maggie, harry, what's his name. good morning to you at home. what is billed as the most important climate change in history opened this morning in denmark. 192 nations are attending the meeting hoping to finalize the deal on cutting did greenhouse gases. president obama plans to attend the final sessions. former alaska governor sarah palin took her book tour to iowa over the weekend, but what seemed like an ordinary book signing may really be a sign of things to come. michelle gielan has more. >> reporter: even as sarah palin greeted hundreds of fans in

sioux city, iowa, power player mis-washington were buzzing about whether the stop signals a palin run in 2012. >> the beauty for sarah palin is that a successful book tour can also be a successful launch of a presidential career. >> reporter: this is not just any state. iowa's caucuses kick off the 2012 campaign season and book buyers here already sound a lot like potential voters. >> yes, she has a chance. >> i really think that she's a great symbol for the united states. >> reporter: she won over this conservative crowd after taking on a tougher audience saturday. washington journalists gathered for their annual gridiron dinner. in a joke ksh fueled speech, palin said her book tour is better than her failed campaign with john mccain and equipped the view is much better from inside the bus than under it. mccain insists he's proud of palin. >> we need vigorous discussion and debate in the republican marty. she's going to be a big part of that discussion and debate in the future. >> reporter: michelle gielan, cbs news, new york. a scary incident caught on

on tape. a woman was dragged several feet by a train last month. her bag causes caught this in the door. she eventually let go and let go and was not seriously hurt. a lot of these subway incidents we're reading about. >> the cameras are everywhere. but let go of the bag. >> sthere must have been something awfully important. >> maybe it was dave's christmas 3re7b9. >> welcome back. >> it's nice it to be back. >> you were working. >> we were doing a story and we'll do a piece for the cbs evening news oig and "the early sho show". we were this rwanda and talk about remarkable women, some whose husbands were murdered, other women whose husbands brother proprietors and they e side by side weaving peace

together for that country. and another great piece on youth village for the orphans of that country. great stuff. so excited to show you that. excited to be back. let's walk on over to the wewe

13 minutes past the hour. that's a quick look at your hour. see you again at 7:30 or so. >> thanks. hope you're feeling better sthp. still to come, a consumer watch dog's warning over one of the hottest holiday toys, zoo zoo zoo pets. plus the latest on the growing trouble surrounding tiger woods.

other women may just be one of his bad habits according to a new report. and black tie for everyone but the boss. bruce springsteen and robert de niro on the list l. list of kennedy honor res. ♪

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bad news for a popular toy. the zoo zoo pets, the government will be checking their safety after a disturbing report from a consumer group. kelly wallace is here with the details. >> good morning. well, consumer products safety commission said it would review the product after a san francisco based consumer group, good guide, claimed that this zhu zhu pet, mr. squiggles, may contain higher than allowed levels of antimony. but the maker set it's 100% safe

for children. they've become this holiday season's toy craze following in the foot steps of tickle me elmo and cab panlg patch kids, but goo g. guide is giving the toy low marks for safety. >> the zhu zhu pet we found a chemical called antimony, which is a metal which has potential health hazards related to it. >> reporter: the federal limit is 60 parts per million, but good guide said its tests measured 93 parts per million in the toy hamster's fur and 106 parts per million in the nose. >> these toys aren't even meeting the legal standards, then it isn't worth the risk for me to bring it in for-to-my house hold. >> reporter: but there are some who feel more testing needs to be done. >> if you want to know whether the toy actually meets the federal standards for that chemical, you would have to do a lot more testing. >> reporter: the maker of zhu zhu pets is also disputing good guide's findings and presented

test results which indicate antimony levels below 60 parts per mill why not. the company says its product is absolutely safe and has passed the most rigorous testing in the toy industry for consumer health and safety. and to put it all into perspective while harry plays a little bit with the product, at certain doses, apit monday any can cause health problem, but federal guidelines are generally set at 1% of the level known to be dangerous. so even if the zhu zhu pet has close to double the federal limit, which the company disputes is the case, that's still only 2%. again, not something many experts say with we need to be very, very concerned about temperature. >> you just really shouldn't suck on this. >> that is the jp advice for all the toys. don't put them in your mouths. >> all right, thank you so much. still ahead, amanda knox. so sorry. here you go. take this. we'll catch up on this story. you've heard about the guilty verdict friday night. we will speak withwill with her

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welcome back. we know washington is a place for poll tick, but on one night every year, entertainment takes center stage. last night, five great performers were honored. the kennedy center honors tribute to the nation's great artists is the hottest ticket in town. >> it means the cream of the crop, the best of the best. >> it's really saying how important the arts are for us as a country. >> reporter: after a welcome from the late president's daughter caroline, the first to be honored, robert de niro. >> you were it. the gold standard. he's the one that we all went to school on. ♪

>> reporter: jazz legend dave brubeck celebrated his 89th birthday at the honors. over six decades he brought jazz to the mainstream. ♪ everything i do i do for you >> reporter: and there was salute to mel prooks whose work includes the producers. which won an unprecedented 12 tony awards. the queen of soul, aretha franklin, paid tribute to grace bumbry who did not let racial scare i don't types keep her from on that rat tick roleses. >> you broke new ground, you thrilled millions. ♪ born in the usa >> reporter: and the final honor of the night, rocker bruce springsteen. >> i'm the president, but he's the boss. >> reporter: and there was an an interesting take on how the boss was born in the usa.

>> i believe that bob dylan a a good morning, everyone. temperatures are still struggling to get up to about freezing right now. it's still cold from an overnight low into the 20s. forecast up to 44 degrees today. clouds and sun will be warm enough to continue to melt things down. cold enough tonight that things on untreated surfaces could still freeze. times of clouds and sun tomorrow. 46 degrees your day time high. chance of rain on wednesday. 40 on friday and 36 on sunday. now for a look at roads. send it to sharon. >> we'll take a live look

outside at a jam on 50. 50 westbound because of an accident on the bay bridge. back-up at this point to business parkway in stevensville. new wreck 83 southbound past the pennsylvania line. one in rosedale, rossville boulevard. sparks and falls road. black rock road. watch for downed wires blocking route 30. 83 southbound slow. middletown to mount carmel. 11 minutes from white marsh to 895. there's a look at your top and west side delays. this traffic report's brought to you by kaiser permanente. to learn all the ways we can help, visit kp.org. violent end to a birthday party inside a downtown hotel. mike schuh has the story. >> reporter: the type of weapon used in the columbine killings. a tech 9 in the hands of a

gunman at this hotel. the 19-year-old shoots one man in the face. two others wrestled the gun from the man and beat him so severely he's hospitalized in critical condition. the man who was shot is expected to recover. the shooter will be charged with two counts of attempted murder. the men who beat him will also face charges. don, back to you. >> thank you very much. an elderly man lost his life during an apartment fire in parkville. 8400 block of nunly drive. an investigation continues. just a few days after she was found guilty, sheila dixon got a somewhat chilly reception during the mayor's annual christmas day parade in hampden yesterday. one heckler asked her for a giftcard. there's the city council president right there. stay with wjz13 maryland's

news station. up next on the early show, medicare tips that could save you

we hope these people are dressed well, because it is cold here in new york city. >> if that you have elf hat, you're good.york city. >> welcome back to t"the early sho show". coming up, a map today knox appealing her 26 year prison sentence for being found guilty of killing her roommate in italy. her parents will tell us about the verdict, also they visited with her and they can tell us about that, as well. also ahead this morning, if you're in the market for an e-book, one of those digital readers that can store hundreds of books and magazine, we have the top five models right here in the studio and we'll tell you the benefits and draw backs of each one. first, though, the solid wall of privacy that once

surrounded tiger woods continues to crumble. more women have stepped forward saying they have had favors with him. tara mergener has the latest. >> reporter: for the intensely private woods, it's the story that won't go away. continuing to draw glaring headlines and even this controversial skit from saturday night live. >> seems like i keep saying the wrong thing in these press conferences. so this time i have a prepared written statement which i shall stick to. >> reporter: it was just ten days ago that woods crashed his dwou 9 cadillac escalade into a tree. late last week, police released an enter swru a neighbor who called 911. >> elin was talking to him. at that point, he was snoring. she was actually very quiet. just kind 1/2 shock. she wasn't very verbal. she said can you please help me.

>> reporter: the new york daily news reports there are now a total of at least seven women claiming to have had a romantic relationship with woods. sunday, woods offered yet another apology, this time to his chevor tournament spoken source. i am sincerely sorry i was unable to fulfill my duties as host and player in this important event. tara mergener for cbs news. and prescription drugs splay had something to do with woods' car accident. gerald positioner is here to tell us what he found. you have been reporting very diligently on this tiger woods story for the last week or so. and now this brand new piece this morning. what is your revelation? >> well, the revelation is two fold. one is that somebody familiar with tiger's medical treatment back at the end of 2007 right after he tore his ligament in his left knee around the time of the british open to the end of the year said that he was dosing with prescription pain killers

opiants at a time when one doctor was concerned that he had a person personal talk with tying her to ramp down the dosing. and then at the time of the car accident, i spoke withdraw made doctors who said when emt arrived, what they should have found, you've hit a hydrant, you smashed in to a tree, the rear of your car's been broken with the gulf club by your wife, lacerations on your face, what happenses, your adrenal glands pump out adrenalin trgs shoves blood in your brain and muscles and you're hyper vinl plant. that happens when you're 75 or 15 years old. for a 33-year-old world class athlete, she have been up and around walking and very alert with the adrenalin rush. and just like you had on your lead-in, he's laying on the grass snoring. which raises the questions for some doctors was owe sleep agents or possibly on pain medications that may have dulled him. and we can't find out because the florida highway patrol didn't do a breathalyzer, a blood pest r. test or a urine

test. >> the other explanation for that is if he was knocked in some sort of state of semiconsciousness that might have been able to explain what the snoring -- >> that's true. but what happens is quite interesting before the two neighbors who run out, see him lying on the ground at the time, and his wife is talking to him. and he's asleep at that point. he later wakes up and what they describe him as the california -- the florida highway patrol in their own descriptions, when you talk to them and they will describe this off the record, they use two word, that one of them is loopy, that he seemed to them at the time, and the other is disor yeshtsded. again, there's no blood on the steering wheel no blood on the dashboard, so you think did he hit his head across any part of the car, but there's no blood inside of there. so the issue is was there something involved. at the scene it was mentioned that he was on pain medication for an injury and that's one of the things that raises the question back to 2007. do we know? no, the tiger camp is putting a wall around. >> and aren't there other allegations from some of these these people who allege they had relationships with him that he

might have been using something in terms of when they were sexually involved? >> yes. the other problem here is that one of the word has comes up on the night of the accident according to the florida highway patrol is ambien, which is a sleep agent. how one of the girls who was going hold a press conference, she's told a friend that she and tiger had something called crazy ambien sex. i think of ambien as something that puts you to sleep. looked it up on the internet and there are all blogs and websites that extoll its virtues because supposedly it has an am sneezic effect, you don't remember what did he the next morning. i'm not sure why that seems exciting, but because you have one of the mistresses talking about it, it pops up and you have a doctor in 2007 giving him a warping, there is the possibility that you have to look at this a little bit closer. >> garltd, thanks very much for your insight morning. >> thanks, harry.

the story just doesn't ever know away. >> wonder what's next. all right. very well. >> right now we want to go to italy and bring you the latest on amanda knox. she could be getting high powered political help of aer being found guilty of murdering her roommate. al lan pizzey is in perugia wit the latest. >> reporter: a media circus that surrounded the trial has packed up and gone. the main attraction won't be seen outside of the walls of this prison behind me until the appeal comes up. the knox family made another in what will loom like an end less series to lend comfort to both themselves and their taught. but they were told to come back later. the paperwork wasn't ready. >> there's a bunch of people that are going home that would like to see her before they go home but it's not going to happen. >> reporter: the judge has 920 days to make public the ropes why the jury found amanda nos and her former boyfriend guilty

of murder and then the and he will process can begin. local newspapers trumpeted suggestions that secretary of state hillary clinton will get involved. so far she has not. but the senator from knox's home state has jumped in feet first. >> different jurisdictions can have different ways of proceeding in criminal cases. but we want that to be a standard where will is a fair trial by an impartial jury. >> reporter: in u.s. court, appeals are based on legal technicalities. here in italy, the first appeal is in effect a retrial, all the evidence can be reexamined, and most crucially new evidence presented by. the best the knoxs can hope for is to speed up the start of that appeal process, but any attempt to use political pressure to do it runs the risk of alienating not only italian public opinion, but perhaps the judiciary itself. >> alan pizzey in perugia. thank you. coming up next, which e-book gets you an a plus? we'll bring you the pros and n cons of the top five models.

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we know the weather in florida is nice because your mom was invited to come here on friday to cook for us and she said -- >> you know, we're kind of settled right now. so if they want to send a truck to the condo, we're fine with that but i'm not schlepping up. >> my mom and my mother-in-law were invited to cook and for the same reason they're unless florida. yeah, no, new york, whinter -- >> i say we all go down and do it there. let's walk to the weather wall. california that's where our troublemaker is..

in our area we continue a thaw down and bit of a warm-up. we're going up to 44 degrees. average typically around 49. we'll see clouds and sun. stays pretty chilly. mostly cloudy tonight. seasonably cold. 30 degrees the overnight low. times of clouds and sun with rain arriving late tomorrow. 46 degrees the day time high. look for temperatures getting up to 49 on wednesday. the warmest day of the week with rain. that's a quick look at your weather picture. harry and maggie, over to you. the nook, the kindal, the sony, which one shall. >> i like this one because it's little, but it has problems i hear. >> we had get an entire analysis

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in this morning's "health watch," medicare part d made easy. 26 billion americans are enrolled in this prescription drug program for seniors, but if you're thinking of changing, you'd better do it quickly. you only have until the end of the month. here to help you sort out the options is dr. troy brennan, chief medical officer for cvs. good morning. what exactly is medicare part d? >> it's a drug benefit for the medicare program. so that's where seniors can get subsidies for their medications. >> so why is it important to sign up? this really is about dollars and cents. >> yes. there's an open enrollment

period that runs until december 31st. and this is the time in which people can pick plans. there's lots of plans out there and lots of options, so you have to pick careful carefully and if do you so, you can save yourself some money. >> it can be overwhelming. you say lots. we're talking lots and lots and lots of choices out there. there are over 1,000 different options, if i read had correctly. you've boiled it down to sort of a formula. what is that? >> well, the way we like people to do it is to get on the website, cvs.com/medicare, and what you can do then is put your medications in and that website will help you select a plan. we've found in testing it that people can save an average of over $600. >> and you have this sort of monday traction the three cs. what are they? >> cost, coverage and convenience. so what you want to do is take a look at it, figure out what's the lowest cost plan. then try to understand sort of are you well covered, are your medicationses covered under that plan and what are the co-pays

and dedubtables. and then finally is it convenient, you can get your drug where you get it. >> can most people sort of discern what is best for them? if you're a certain age and maybe you're on some medications or whatever, something like this can really just feel like more than you want to deal with. >> we find most people can deal about it through the website. but, also, a lot of people have their care gave h. givers or their children help them with it. >> finally, if you did sign up a year ago, do you immediate to sign up again or does it automatically default back to whatever last year's was? >> you don't immediate to sign up again, but it's always good to check because the plans are always changing. the plans in your area are changing. so we encourage people to go ahead and check and see what the beth plan is. >> and get it done by the end of the month. >> that's right. >> doctor troy brennan, hang you so much. you can find more information on our website, just go to earlyshow.cbsnews.com. coming up, amanda knox found guilty of murder. we'll ask her parents how she and the family are doing. we'll be right back.

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so sunday night in the smith household, i'm heading off to bed, and they huddle under blankets watching "dexter" to scared in a way they've never been scared before because of john lithgow. >> he play s is serial killer, but the "trinity killer" is especially scary. he likes to kill in threes. >> this is happening everywhere, on the subway, people are -- move away from me. >> we'll keep you close at least for another little while so we can talk next hour. it's our biggest december sale ever at toys r us!

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it is five minutes before 8:00. the steam flume going right out to the west. sharon will have traffic after tim's first warning weather. >> that's definitely a pretty accurate weather gauge. we have a flow off the 95 corridor blowing in that direction. we're looking at mild air coming in from the south. we're seeing a bit of a flow that will help warm us to 44 degrees today. still chilly. average high 49 degrees. 30 degrees tonight. anything that melts down today with temperatures below freezing could refreeze tonight. rain stays with us through wednesday. for a look at the roads, we send it to sharon gibala.

>> that accidents on the bay bridge is clear. we have a little bit of a delay. the delay running in the westbound lanes from casamoreno road to the bay bridge. yellow brick road, rossville boulevard. meantime downed wires blocking lanes of route 30 in hampstead. 83 southbound slow. middletown to mount carmel. 95 southbound, 15 minutes at 23 miles an hour between white marsh and 895. typical delays on 70. there's a look at your beltway drive times. this traffic report's brought to you by the radio city christmas spectacular. returning back to baltimore, back by popular demand. rockettes will be taking the stage at the first mariner arena december 17th. three men face attempted murder charges after one of them brought a wicked gun to a birthday party to a baltimore

hotel over the weekend. >> reporter: the type of weapon is the one used in the columbine killings. a tech 9. it was in the hands of the gunman who brought it to this hotel. the 19-year-old ends a birthday party shooting one man in the face. two others wrestle the gun from the man and beat him so severely he's hospitalized in critical condition. the man who was shot is expected to recover. the shooter will be charged with two counts of attempted murder. the men who beat him will also face charges. don, back to you. the emerald county council is scheduled to vote on the building of a slots casino near

american student amanda knox sentenced to 26 years in prison for murdering her roommate. a conviction her parents still can't believe. >> i think i was in shock. you know, a lot of the night is kind of a big blur. i was in shock. >> we'll talk with them about their next move about. a holiday makeover for your home that only looks expensive. we'll show you how to deck the halls for less, part of our early holidays on the cheap. and in "the amazing race" finale, meghan and sheyne count to a million. >> you are the winner of "the amazing race." >> we'll present the big check to the winners early this monday >> we'll present the big check to the winners early this monday morning december 7th, 2009. captioning funded by cbs

it is a chilly morning in new york city. welcome august of you who just walked by. that's okay. you know what it is? it's it's the amazing race oig contestant and winners. we can't wait to talk to them. >> we have the big check. >> let's make them wait until the last possible second. >> let's make them race across the park. >> there's a thought. it is december 7th, by the way. a day that shall live in infamy. we want to remember that for the folks who are still around and who pulled together as a country and fought so valiantly at world war ii. welcome back to "the early

show." also, "ask it early." shopping questions this morning. for example, if you're buying a pricey gift, should you get the warranty? susan koeppen has all the answers. first, though, inside we go. russ mitchell is at the news desk. good morning to you, russ. good morning. it turns out the government bailout program will not be as expensive as first anticipated. a treasury official says the program is now expected to cost at least $200 billion less than the $341 billion estimated in august. banks are paying back the money faster than expected and some of the programs do not cost as much as anticipated. in a speech tomorrow, president obama may suggest using the repaid bailout money to help the unemployed. the largest climate change conference in history is under way this morning in copenhagen. participants hope to make a deal to protect the planet in global warming. richard roth is in london with the latest. >> reporter: 192 countries are

represented and president obama will be among the heads of state who will join the meeting next week. with about 15,000 participants gathered in copenhagen, producing according to some conference organizers the green house gas equivalent of a whole town, delegates claim the agenda amounts to a last ditch effort to save the planet from global warming. >> the clock has ticked down to zero. after two years of negotiation, the time has come to deliver. >> reporter: the conference goal is to get worldwide agreement on a time table for substantial cuts in carbon emissions and to have rich nations agree to pay to help poor ones deal with the costs of climate change. in a policy shift from the bush administration, the u.s. will pledge several to 17% cuts in carbon emissions over the next decade. but it would take congressional approval to seal the deal and the issue contentious. it's also shadowed by shall new

skepticism about a climate crisis fueled by stolen e-mails from a university here in britain which suggest some scientists may have manipulated data to bolster their case supporting man made global warm. russ? >> richard roth in london. thank you very much. right now katie couric has a preview of tonight's "cbs evening news." good morning. how an experimental device saved this little girl's life and could mean a second chance for hundreds of kids waiting for heart transplants. this week only on the "cbs evening news." now back to "the early show." it is now 8:04 on this monday morning. mr. david price is out on the plaza a smaz with the weather. >> a mess in the southern half of the country with heavy rain. from san diego all the way up to

in our area, temperatures are going up to above freezing today. not quite the average for this date though. 44 degrees. still chilly. we'll see sun through the clouds. clouds will increase through the

night. tons of clouds and son with rain coming in late tomorrow. 46 degrees. the day time high. if the rain arrives during the coldest part of our night, we could see icing potential early into wednesday. 49 >> announcer: this weather report sponsored by chase. manage your finances on your terms help learn more at chase.com/blueprint. blizzard will be the weather watch word for the week. we'll continue to track it for you. harry, over to you. as we have been reporting, amanda knox and her lawyers are planning an appeal of friday's murder conviction in an italian court. she has been sentenced for 26 years in prison. earlier, i spoke with her parents who visited her there this it weekend and i asked her mother how amanda is holding up. >> well, you know, like everybody else, she's

devastated. she was really hopeful. we're all crushed. but she got a lot of really loving support when she got back to the jail from the inmates and the guards who were all very supportive of her and then we got to see her. so she got to see her family. we told her to have courage. so, you know, we're kind of all just hanging in there. >> curt, when you see amanda in prison, are you able to have any kind of physical contact with her, were you able to at least touch her hand or hold her hand? >> yeah, it's a little bit different in the it tta taalian system. the visitation room is actually open so we get to hug her and hold her hand while we talk to her and just -- it's very different than what you have here in the united states. >> what did it mean to you to be able to hold your daughter on saturday? >> well, you know, it's one in which you just want to let her

know that there's always light at the end of the tunnel and kind of wligs per in her ear that it's going to be all right, this is going to get fixed, we're going to get you home and you got to stay strong and we're going move to move forward from here. >> as we talked last week, could you feel the change in the court of public opinion. there was so much optimism. when you heard the verdict on friday night, what did you think? >> i think i was in shock. a lot of the night is kind of a big blur. i was in shock. i was trying to take care of amanda's sister, who was pretty much almost hysterical. >> listening to are you this distance, i hear energy, i hear fight in your spirit. this has been between yetwo yea making. there was optimism last week. you can still be optimistic now?

>> yes. the anger that i had inside that courtroom when they read that verdict was unbelievable. and we will fight this fight until she comes home and it doesn't matter what it takes, we'll go the distance no matter where it is and she's going to come home. >> our hearts are with you and thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us. >> thanks for having us. >> thanks, harry. up next, we have been reading up on the five most popular e-books. we'll have the pros and cons of all of them when we come back. now your chase card let's you make your own payment plan for what you charge. introducing blueprint. blueprint's free and exclusively for chase customers. for a big purchase, there's split. it lets you decide how much... or how many months you want to pay. so you can be comfortable managing all of your large purchases.

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(announcer) there is hope. understanding your pain... ...is the first step to treating it. talk to your doctor and visit fibrocenter.com for answers and support. throughout our lives, we encounter new opportunities. at the hartford, we help you pursue them with confidence. by preparing you for tomorrow. while protecting what you have today. you've counted on us for 200 years. let's embrace tomorrow. and with the hartford behind you, achieve what's ahead of you. one of this year's hot holiday gift items is the e-book. here with a look at the top five is natali del conte.

good morning. >> good morning. >> first point is that not all are created equal even hoe they look a lot alike. >> and really format is the thing that distinct distinguishing each one. some of them use a format that are exclusive to that reader. and sometimes if you buy a it digital song or book or movie, you want to work on any device. so that's something to think about. >> so this is the hot can't get item. >> right, this is the barnes & noble nook. it it is sold out. it won't ship until january. but you can give an iou for this. it holds open format books. it does have wireless download and it has something that i like called sharing features so could i lend and you book for 14 days that will show up on your nook and then come back to my nook in 14 days. >> so that's what's unique about

it. >> how often do you lend somebody a book and you never get it back. >> so you buy the book, you lend is for free for two weeks. and then it disappears? >> it just disappears. >> this is the next one. this is kendall 2 which is a big improved ken ddall. >> it has a longer battery life and holds 1500 books and this is the kendall that set the standard for e-books. >> you were talking about being limited. when you buy a kendall, you can only read them on your kendall? >> it has digital rights management, so the books you buy on kendall you only own on kendall. >> this is the kendall dx? >> it's that for the college students. it holds more books, 3500. it also has a pdf reader so you can breed your files an do you wants. and nice for textbooks. >> and sony. >> this is the pocket and this is the touch. this has a touch screen, this

does not. this is a really simple cheap if you want to sort of try out the digital readers. what i like about the sony readers is that they can access google books and also they can access your local libraries books. so you can check out books for free for 21 days if your library is participating. >> i like how it looks but what is the down side? >> you can't take notes on it. and also you flip the pages a lot because it's so tiny. >> all right. thank you, we'll put up all the pros an cons and even the ones we can't get to on our website. coming up next, the file lists from "the amazing race" primted their way to victory last night and they'll get their million dollar check and hear what their competitors have to say about that when we come back.

last night season 15 of the "amazing race" ended in fantastic fashion as the final

three couples fought it out in las vegas for the million dollar prize. after eight countries, 21 days and more than 25,000 mile, 12 teams raised around the globe, but in the end, it came down to three teams in the betting capital of the world, las vegas. >> and we're going for the gold. >> reporter: meghan and shey ncht e won the most legs dominating the competition. sam and dan announced they were gay to the rest of the teams and were well nope for their bickering. >> stop doing that. >> reporter: and erica and brian, the former miss america and her husband from nashville had rough patches along the way. but tried to play a civil game. in the end, it came down to the dating couple and the brothers. >> you you are the official

winners of "the amazing race." >> meghan rickey and cheyne whitney, good morning and congratulations. also with us are runners up sam and dan pick millen. and third-place finishers, erica dunlap and brian kleinschmidt. good morning, everybody. about. >> good morning. thanks for having us. >> how many years had you tried to get on had had show? >> these years in a row. we tried out for 13th, 14th and finally made it on 15. >> and how many legs did you win? did you win seven? >> did we? >> has anyone won that many legs before? >> i wish i could say no, but nick and star actually did get seven. so we tied the record, which was cool with us. we'll share it with them. >> but as it comes down to last night, as we're all on the edges of our seats, it certainly looked like it was up for grabs because everybody was basically starting at ground zero, right? and you guys got out of the

airport first, got to the cirque du soleil thing. >> we pretty much were in the lead until we got to the bungee cord. and then i had a slight meltdown. but i bounced back really well. >> we were about three inches away from a million dollars. we were so cho. but yet so far. >> we had a great taxi driver. >> there were a few moments where my wife and i turned to each other and said there is some temper. >> come on, you could be like no more than 20 feet away from your spouse for 30 days. nobody does that. so, yeah, you're going to be a little bit tempered. but, hey, we're still together. for the purposes of today. >> you guys, i'm not sure i ever saw any two competitors scream

at each other more than you guys. when they did the hay field thing, which had been done before, right, which is usually about -- you just kick the stuff away, you'll find what you're looking for. you're screaming shut up, shut up, don't talk to me. >> i think overall that was our best memory. we loved our edit, we loved how it was one extreme to the knee crying. so we were very happy with the results. and we loved seeing our brotherly bond show out, so we were excited wi about that. >> siblings fight. that's a huge part of family life but still love each other to death. >> what do you think was the key? because you won all of those legs and then last night when it came right down to it, you got to the casino counting and just kind of cool as cucumbers. a little tension there.

did it seem more -- because you competed so well throughout. you got to las vegas, did it seem like a local different race? >> it was. it was a completely different race because we kept telling each other this entire tine we were racing to not be in last place. so this last leg was this is when we were actually racing for a million dollars. this was the only time the entire race. >> that was what did it. and it was funny because when you got up to the pad with phil, you were looking at each other like this is it? did we it actually do this? we need the money, where's the money? we want to give these people their money. here you go. try to take that to the bank. >> where do i sign? >> here's high question. how is your mom? >> my mom actually called last night as soon as she heard the last clip and she said that she evalue and i had brian's character and she likes what is she saw. >> we saw her for thanksgiving and she call immediate her

son-in-law, which is the first time ever. and it really felt good. >> there you go. happiness all

>> it is 25 past 8:00. you will see a big plume as well. sharon has what you will see in traffic and tim williams in for marty bass. >> i wish we were warming up, we would see steam. not the case today. we will get up to 44. cloud cover, and the sun peaking through. the average for this day, 49. we won't quite get there. 30 tonight, mostly cloudy seasonally cold and turning into highs tomorrow of 46- degree, times of cloud and sun with rain late arriving in the coldest time of the night. could see possibly icing in the overnight. now for a look at the roadway, let's hand it over to sharon gibala. >> one now on, this one on the ramp to 97 in the eastbound

lane, blocking the right lanes, al a crash route 30 at butler road, another one at hill crest, two in the city, at georgetown and west cold spring at aaron dale. you are look at the down wires, on route 30, on mote avenue at the mote avenue block all lanes. 83 southbound, slow middletown to mount caramel, slow, approaching the beltway, and on the jfx from the beltway, there's a look at t 95 from white marsh, 70 eastbound slow from international pike. there's a look at your drive times and speeds for beltway. not so bad, west side at 33 miles per hour. here is a look at 95 at the beltway. this report is brought to you by subway. >> a birth day party over the weekend with guns physical violence. we have more. good morning, don and everyone. type of weapon used in the

columbine killings is in the hands of the gunman here at this hotel. the 19-year-old ends a birthday party shooting one man in the face, two others when he is l the gun from young man and beat him so severely he's hospitalized now in critical condition. the man shot expected to recover, the shooter will be charged attempted murder. the men who beat him will also face charges. reporting live downtown, wjz news. >> the man convicted of murdering a baltimore county woman while she took out her charge will learn her sentence today. warren yates, he meant to shoot at someone else when she accidentally shot and killed woo chester. the ravens will hit the -- for monday night football. the sore ankle but is expected to play against the packers a game you can see right here, our live coverage begins at

8:00. stay with wjz 13. up next holiday decorations you ♪ - can you help me? - of course! what do you want? some of these and some of these and some of these... what are you going to make? you should make a gift for papa. i'm going to put it right here. that's for daddy. mine is done now! look it! look it! look it! whoa, whoa, whoa! this... can i have another one? yes! is what memories are made of. rice krispies®. childhood is calling. ♪

here's here from all over the country. welcome, everyone. welcome back to "the early show." it is 8:30 on a cold monday. we've got a lot coming up. >> we like the signage out here this morning. >> the country of early. >> let's all salute the "early" flag. >> and let's salute john lithgow signing autographs. so nice. >> completely creepy. >> so "dexter," i know. >> such a friendly man. the author of children's books. be loved on broadway.

and i'm scared of him being within 20 feet of me right now. >> that's how good he is. >> he is. >> coming up for christmas shopper, susan koeppen will answer your questions about those discount department store credit cards. are they really worth it? we had wiwill tell you. >> also great ideas to decorate your house from the for the holidays. >> the last time john was here, he was reading one muc of his children's books. >> and thousand i hanow i have order against him. >> the "trinity killer" is here. we'll talk to him. but first, a couple of maggie's busiest fans. brian and antonio, they work together as announcers for the nba's portland trail blazers. >> you guys are here for a big game tonight in. >> yeah, we take on the knicks tonight.

>> hold on, which of guys is the basketball player? i'm sorry. >> i was on the team, but he was the back player. >> so sweet of to yyou to come . >> we're more than just fans. maggie has a worldwide con continue against of fans. we had her on my talk show over the summer and so we're trying to make her a blazer fan. so we know her birthday's coming up, so we decided to come bearing gifts. we asked her her fair numbers and there's one, 40. >> on saturday, i will be the big 4-0. >> and another one, because it will be on the 12th, so 12 is your other favorite. >> oh, so nice. let me give and you h you a hug. >> with her name on the back. >> i hope to get out there and

visit you. in the meantime, everybody listen to them on 95.5 the game. wheels at work. >> and tonight you take on the knicks. >> right. >> nicks are on a serious roll. >> that's like saying the nets are on a roll. >> they won a game. >> before we go, can we just get a book shacalaca? >> sure. boom shacalaca. we did bring hats for these guys. >> nobody knows more about sports than dave. i don't know why you wouldn't have him on his show. >> i was a multisport play they are high school. >> if could you only go to your left. let's go inside. russ mitchell has a look at the top stories.

the senate resumes debate on health care reform morning. yesterday during an unusual sunday session, democratic senators got a pep talk from the president. today the senate takes up abortion funding and is working on a compromise over a government funded insurance plan. but there are other road blocks. >> the biggest problem is that the democrats are using medicare as a piggybank to pay for a big new government program, using grandma's medicare to pay for insurance for someone else at a time when the head care trustees instead the program is about to go broke. >> the experts at medicare say this bill as it stands today will length then the life of medicare for at least five years. and all we're cutting here are the level of profits of the insurance companies. >> as he left sunday's meeting, the president said they are going to get it done. in iran, anti-government protestors clashed with police. student protestors are reportedly being prevented to leave to join the protest.

demonstrate ors are staging a rally to protest the disputed presidential election. in greece, protests continue this morning between demonstrators and riot police. the fighting in the streets much athens began yesterday on the first anniversary of the police shooting of a 15-year-old boy. hundreds were arrested and about 20 people were injured. today is the 68th anniversary. attack in pearl harbor. a long standing mystery may be solved. the remains of a mini submarine that was to take part in the attack has been discovered. its fate has remained unknown until now. public tv's nova reports there is evidence that the sub fired torpedos at the battle ships west virginia and oklahoma. let's go back outside to dave price with another check of the weather. we are meeting great people on the

. in our area temperatures reflect a warm up. first warning live doppler shows we've had a front moving

by pretty dry, not really expecting much out of this. it has been breaking up. that is not really a factor. but we have the clouds associated with that. our forecast looks like this. 44 today, mostly cloudy, chilly overnight lows to just around 30, mostly cloudy and because we stay above freezing today, anything that melts could freeze aga that's a quick look at your weather picture. hello to everyone in macon, georgia. indiana university, hello to you. and one more file hinge. so you can remember this special time when you were on national television with me. that's a quick look at your weather picture. harry, we'll accepted it to you. this morning on our series asks it "early," you get to pick the brain of susan koeppen. good morning. first question right out of the box, is about credit card offers

at stores. >> hi, susan, this is frank from new york. the department store want to the give me a 10% discount if i sign up for their credit card. is it worth it? >> you can't buy something in a store without getting that credit card offer at the cash register. >> every store, yeah. >> and it sounds like a great deal. i just got an offer the other day for 30%. i turned it down. it could be a good idea if you shop at that store a lot and you're going use that credit card, but if you're the type of person who is going to get these cards, get the discount, close the card and you're doing it at every store, say you do it five times in one day, it actually can have a negative impact on your credit. and then if you're looking to buy a house or get a loan for a car, there can somebody ramifications. so unless you think you're really going to use that card and you need 10% discount, i wouldn't do it. >> we talk so much with vera gibbons about trying to save money and it's an invitation to

impulse buy, isn't it? oh, here you go. >> it sounds like a great way to save 10% or even 30% like that, but you have to think long term, what are the ramifications of opening up this credit card. >> second question is about another offer you get very often when buying items, this is do you want a warranty with that. >> hi, susan. i'm carmi from texas and i have a question about my washing machine. is it worth buying a warptdity when you buy a new apemployer answer li appliance like a washing machine? >> if you're buying a digital camera to a washing machine, they always say do you want a warranty. most cases, you really don't need it. products are made really well. products change style. i mean, think about how many computers you buy and toss on a yearly basis. >> but don't you find that about the time that that warranty would really be -- that warranty

you buy would be kicking in is about the time that you start having problems? >> and sometimes the repair bill is going to be the same price of what the warranty would be. >> and, also, i would like to mention that if you buy something with your credit card, most credit card companies extend your warranty by say a year. so if it comes with a one year warpts i warrenity, they'll tend it to two. >> and this final question is about sales and when they're for real. >> i'm david from texas. when i see these going out of business sale, are they just trying to move merchandise or is that really a true sale? >> you see that on the weekends the ads on the television or signs, going out of business. some places have been going out of business for five years now. >> exactly. tricky, ricky. here's the deal. yes, it's a sarl and they're trying to move merchandise, but you really immediate to shop around.to move merchandise, but sometimes it's really not the best price and in some cases it's a liquidator who has come in and their goal is to get the

merchandise out, but they want to make as much money as possible. so maybe you're in the going to get the best deal, so you should shop around. also consider the fact if you buy something and the store is going out of business, maybe you can't return it. >> a lot of times there's a no return policy. >> exactly. and some states have laws regulating going out of business sales. >> as always, thank you so much. if you would like to send sue sap a question, go to our website, earlyshow.cbsnews.com. now here's maggie. and i'm with john lithgow who says that everybody stays away from him these days because he's so scary, but i am not afraid. he's a teddy bear. but his character on "dexter" that's another killer. we'll talk to him when we come back. plus we'll show you how to decorate your house for the whole days on the cheap.

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ratings are way, way up for the new season of "dexter" on show time. one reason is the addition of emmy award winner john lithgow. he plays arthur mitchell, a creepy, really creepy sear equal killer. >> so what do you want? >> i want you to disappear from my life. like a ghost. a really annoying ghost. >> you'll disappear from my life? >> i couldn't carele less about your life or death. until you get in my way. >> and john lithgow -- >> hadn't seen that yet. >> you're even scared yourself. >> i'm terrified of myself. >> i'm going to get to the particulars in a moment, but how did this come to you, did they call you and say we have just the right character for you?

>> well, i got a call from my agent on a wednesday night and thursday morning, i was listening to an hour long pitch from the executive producer, collide clyde phillips. and at that point, i knew the entire season of "dexter" and nobody else did.llide clyde phi. and at that point, i knew the entire season of "dexter" and nobody else did.llide clyde phi. and at that point, i knew the entire season of "dexter" and nobody else did.clyde phillips. and at that point, i knew the entire season of "dexter" and nobody else did. he had me on the edge of my seat. if you followed trk it's an incredible story and it was a hair raising story even that morning. so that's what sold me. >> did you know dexter at all? >> not very well. i'd seen bits and pieces of the first season. could i tell it it was i could tell it was a marvelous show, but i didn't know the real context. i said yes and then i watched these 36 episodes that testif ty aired and i was a complete addict. >> dexter plays a medical examiner and a big police department, he is a serial killer, but only as a serial

killer for the good. >> yes. why so week by week, you normally see him encountering other sort of nemesis and in this particular time in this season for the first time, we're really seeing dexter meeting what looks to be his match. >> well, even my character seven more, far more, appalling han dexter. i mean, in a way i've done michael c. hall a great service. i've made him look like the ultimate good guy. i mean, this is a marvelous actor. he has done something magical with dexter. he's made this a serial killer a progre protagonist. but i help.he things you've played over all the year, when you go find the place to play it this guy, where do you go, where do you find the place inside yourself to say i'm going to play this horrendous person?

>> well, the writers have given me a gift. i mean, he's an amazing character. the extraordinary thing about this "trinity killer," he's a killer who is appalled, he hates what he does. he is in agony. he's a tortured soul. and so i think it's a matter of just finding somewhere in there something to sympathize with. >> for folks who are familiar with you from "third rock" or from your kids' books -- >> don't tell the children about dexter. >> that's right. >> how it it do they respond tou when they see you on the street? >> people in general? they are so enthusiastic. they seem to have a taste for horror. they sort of lick their chops at "dexter." they're thrilled. i would have thought that people would run from me in terror. >> and what can we do to get a

taste of what the final episode is you can give us a tease, can we threaten your life in some way to get some sort of notion of -- >> i will tell you the title of the last episode. >> oh, excellent. >> and that's all i'll tell you. it's called "the getaway." >> that's a tease. indeed. well done. congratulations. always a pleasure. >> great to see you. and the season finale of "dexter" is this sunday at 9:00, 8:00 central on show time. >> announcer: this portion of "the early show" sponsored by big lots. think extreme value, think big lots. big lots, the real deal. . 'tis the season and all this week our series early holidays on the cheap will give you good advice that will save you money and we're starting this morning with how to decorate your home for less. a lot less. here with some great holiday

ideas is sarah humphrey, executive edit are tore of real simple magazine. all these things are real soimp and real cheap. >> you've got it. what you can do is you can spend ranging from about $15 to free. >> and when you see this, you will do it. >> they're easy. >> like these candy cane stands. >> you can only eat so much, so just make little stands. just take about five, bunch them up, put a rubber band around them, tie a little piece of yarn around them and a little sprig of evergreen and they're great for a side table or a card holder. >> i like that idea. >> just fan them out and do a little ribbon on top. >> so you would put the place card in there or -- >> use it almost like an easel. >> that i love for your holiday table when the family comes over. that's easy. all right. pine cone, go outside, pick the

pine cones or buy them cheap. >> exactly. and you could use made lat tick spray paint, but you don't need to. >> and everybody has these vases as decoration and they sit empty. >> someone gave you flowers and you have them under your sink, just use them and put your pine cones in there. >> or nuts. >> if you want to spruce up your table, just use glasses you don't use that much, tumblers work really well and place the nuts in them and you can put them next to a bar. >> very winter feel. i love it. a muffin contintin center piece. >> get a couple mean tins and put votive candles in them. line them up down the table and you're not having a hard time conversing with people over the

tall center piece. >> this is not necessary lay good center piece, but could you p could you put it on a table. >> this is so easy. all do you is get a big they think of holly.>> this is so ea. all do you is get a big they think of holly. wild and festive. >> holly can live -- >> this can last up to about ten days and it's easier to arrange because it's supposed to look a little rough. you don't have to be perfect. >> i've had holly last a lot longer than ten days. >> it could. >> and lastly, still easy, i love this. >> this is basic. if you want to raid your outgrown mittens and hats, the knit ones, attach a parp clip or something with string or a safety pin and hang them together. you can string them up along a mantle or a bannister. and then just hanging them along a with an miss ter. you can do it on a christmas

tree or something like that. >> love it. thank you so much. and for who are tips, go to our website rgts earlyshow.cbsnews.com. i'm going to walk over to the boys on the sofa. gentlemen, over to you. well, we're holding john lithgow captive. >> tell us more. >> do you watch the show at your house? >> yes, like you, i watch it with my family. my favorite time of the week is the ten minutes after "dexter" listening to everybody talk about what they think is going to happen next. >> do you tell your family? >> nothing. no. i'm very coy. they're used it to me revealing things, but then lying about it things, but then lying about it things, but then lying about it things, but then lying about it. >> he's not so scary, he's a nice guy. >> proof positive. >> yes, this is my campaign to restore my image. just to make people less terrified of me. >> well, thank you very much for

being here. >> it's always a pleasure. >> and this than

. >> it is 5 minutes before 9:00. it is cold out, but it will be sunny today. >> it is tim williams in for marty bass. >> the sun will help warm us up not quite to the average today, which is 49. we are looking at had 44 mostly cloudy, but chilly, 33 overnight low, cloud by but cold, not too cold, but 46 tomorrow with a chance of rain late tomorrow night, that stay with us through wednesday. 42, 40, 36, thursday, friday, saturday with the return of sun by midweek. don. thank you. two men are hospitalized after a man in a birthday party. we have details lye from the city center. >> reporter: good morning,

everyone. the type of weapon used in the columbine killings a 9 is in the hands of the gunman here at this hotel. the 19-year-old ends a birthday party shooting one man in the face two others res wrestled the young man and beat him so seriously he is in critical condition. >> two counts of tempted murder, the men who beat him al now face charges. reporting live, wjz. a 96-year-old man lost his life in a fire over the weekend. fire crews found the 96-year- old man dead in his titchen. an investigation continues but the fire appears to have been accident relateed. >> including the very young child, no word yet on the extent of their injuries the cause of the collision still

under investigation as well. eight firefighters recover after they were injured in a fire in prince georges county just outside college park. the firefighters were hospitalized can fires and other injuries. >> a few days after being found guilty, mayor sheila dixon got a chilly reception during the mayor's christmas parade yesterday. at least one heck letter was heard asking for a gift card. the rest of the parade was pretty well received. and several members of the team will be there including kelly lin and tim williams and ron. >> and don't forget you can see the packers and ravens tonight. our special coverage kicks off at 8:00 right here. they're playing at lambo field in wisconsin. all right. and stay with wjz 13 maryland's

anews station, updates available all morning long at wjz.com. the next